Cambridge has a strong tradition in Neuroscience, having hosted the first analyses of neural signalling in the 1930s (Matthews, Adrian), determination of the mechanisms of action potential generation in the 1950s (Hodgkin & Huxley), and some of the first theoretical approaches to function in brain circuits since the 1960s (Marr, Barlow). Neuroscience at Cambridge continues to grow and to incorporate new ideas and new approaches. This breadth of interest and expertise is reflected in the diversity of research in the merged department, with integration across disciplines and departments. For descriptive purposes our Neuroscience research can be divided into three 'levels', cellular & molecular, systems and behavioural.

At Cellular and Molecular Level we have substantial strength with groups working on synaptic transmission, local network properties and plasticity in local neural circuits (Jones, Parker, Robinson), aspects of molecular signalling and sensory transduction (Crawford, Hardie, Matthews, Schwiening, Thomas) and developmental neurobiologists working on problems associated with building the brain (Adams, Baker, Brand, Bray, Cook, Harris, Holt, Keynes, Rogers).